What Makes AquaMaof RAS Technology so Energy Efficient?

Shai Silbermann | VP Marketing & Sales

24.01.2021

Energy, together with water and land, is one of the main resources used by Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology for land-based aquaculture. According to recently published industry analyses, RAS technology is associated with high energy costs, accounting for up to 40% of the OPEX (Operating Expenses) of land-based Atlantic Salmon RAS facilities.

Lowering power consumption can significantly influence both the sustainability of RAS facilities as well as their ongoing OPEX, impacting cash flow and the Return On Investment (ROI).

Understanding the crucial need to reduce the power consumption of its RAS technology, AquaMaof has meticulously designed every element of its technology to come together as a total system and enable efficient energy consumption. The following main processes are where most of the savings in energy consumption occurs.

Low Water Intake and Outlet

The AquaMaof system is extremely water efficient, releasing only minimal quantities of water, hence reducing water inlet and outlet. Less new water making its way in and out of the system requires less energy to maintain stable water temperatures. Moreover, it also reduces pre-treatment and post-use related energy consumption. Low intake of new water also means less pumping-in of water from external sources, thereby reducing energy consumption even further.

Efficient Water Circulation

While most traditional RAS technologies use mechanical devices to move and treat the water, AquaMaof technology utilizes natural physical forces, such as gravity, allowing a significantly lower energy consumption.

Oxygenation

Most traditional RAS technologies use oxygen cones that require high pressure water pumping, and as such – greater energy consumption. AquaMaof proprietary Oxygen Dissolving System (ODS) uses natural pressure, which lowers energy consumption, while still achieving high dissolving efficiency – up to 80mg/liter – without using energy for high pressure.

Utilizing Biofilters for Water Cooling

Using the difference in indoor and outdoor air humidity, AquaMaof’s specially designed biofilters can be used as a cooling tower to adjust water temperatures using less cooling energy.

Solid Waste Separation

Most traditional RAS technologies use mechanical drum filters to separate solid waste. AquaMaof’s RAS technology uses unique settler technology, a much more energy efficient method. This method reduces the amount of suspended solids (and BOD) in the water, thereby requiring less ozone and UV treatment, and further reducing energy consumption. AquaMaof’s RAS technology does not require high pressure water spray for cleaning the screen – typical of drum filters – which also contributes to energy efficiency.

CO2 Stripping

Most traditional RAS technologies use mechanical blowers to force air into water to strip CO2 – an energy intensive process. AquaMaof’s technology uses low pressure air blowers to de-gas the biofilter (not forcing air through water). When removing CO2 from the water, AquaMaof’s de-gassing process can achieve very high rates, in some cases 100%, compared to 60-75% by traditional RAS systems. This results in a much slower circulation of water, which further reduces energy consumption. AquaMaof’s CIFT biofilter creates a large surface of contact between air and water, increasing stripping efficiency and supplying additional oxygen to the bacteria and the water.

Fish Transfer

AquaMaof’s RAS technology uses a harvesting channel to move fish through the system in water — a gentle and efficient method — while most traditional RAS systems use more energy-intensive solutions, such as pumping systems. AquaMaof’s harvesting channel enables partial harvest while requiring optimally low energy consumption.

AquaMaof: Sustainable, Energy-Efficient Technology Solutions for Land-based Aquaculture

Recognizing the need to reduce energy consumption for RAS technology, AquaMoaf has engineered the main processes of its technology to ensure minimal energy consumption throughout their RAS technology.

Although energy-efficiency might require a slightly higher initial investment, it will quickly prove its worth by easing daily operations, reducing facility maintenance, and lowering OPEX costs.